Qantas "New" First Class

[superchris]

Had the distinct displeasure to travel in the new (world's stingiest) Qantas first class from MEL->SIN.

First, thought we would get to the new Melbourne first class lounge to check out all it had to offer. Took an hour for 4 of us to have lunch. The service was exceptionally poor (but then I understand it is run by Sofitel and anything with a "tel" on the end means **** hotel).

Then we get on board to be offered the new amenities packs. The new sleep suits seem to be missing pockets. The sleep suit comes with a toothbrush and comb. Why ? Because the new amenities bags (which have 3 little tubes of expensive cough earplugs) are too small for the toothbrush and comb !!! And my wifes was missing the toothbrush and appeared to have been opened by another sucker - whoops passenger.

Then there is the new crockery (which does not stack - a nightmare for the crew). The coffee cups are almost impossible to drink from. The tea kettle is so poorly designed it just - leaks. But it is all stamped : Mark Newson designed !!!

I can only say I am thankful I was on FF points tickets as I would hate to have actually paid for something this bad.

Congratulations Qantas - you have managed to turn what was a poor product (your old first class) into an exceptionally poor product. Only the stingiest airline in the sky could manage to do this.

I suppose the new first class should be dedicated to the almost left chairperson Margaret Jackson and her cost cutting / airline destroying CEO Geoff ****son. Congratulations guys !!!
:evil:

Ronone69,

I am disappointed by your substandard reporting that is erratic and emotional.It leaves your audience dissatified because it lacks attention to detail..something you blast Qantas for.
I have been in F recently from MEL-LAX and can only applaud the staff for their care.Can I suggest you be more analytical and less erractic in future posts

 

[milehighclub]

And that is going to be an issue for a few years on 744s....

The 744 are getting new screens in First along with the carpets, curtains etc as part of a mostly soft reburbishment. They are a little bit bigger. Wanula Dreaming has them already.

which have 3 little tubes of expensive cough earplugs

I think you mean 3 tubes of expensive skin care.

Then there is the new crockery (which does not stack - a nightmare for the crew)

Qantas has redesigned the saucer - the only thing that doesn't stack. Nice of you to think of the crew.

The coffee cups are almost impossible to drink from.

Really? I've never had a problem drinking from them and never heard of anyone that has either.

 

[NM]

Really? I've never had a problem drinking from them and never heard of anyone that has either.

Only after too much booze when one can no longer accurately locate the mouth :shock: . Not that I report form personal experience, you understand.

 

[garyjohn951]

Agree with NM, finding the mouth can be a problem, especially after a couple of lovely Rutherglen Muscats..................................

 

[arrow]

I actually found the new QF first to be awesome. Definitely an improvement from the Old QF First.

I flew from SYD-LHR direct (with a short stop in SIN).

The wine was fantastic; Good variety and selection (Champagne, Red, White and Dessert)

Seat/Bed: Extremely comfortable compared to other Oneworld airlines

8 Course tasting menu: delicous except I struggled to finish it as I had eaten a fair bit in the lounge prior

 

[Tooner]

Given new QF Chairman Leigh Clifford is/was known as Mr 4A when he travelled between Oz - Blighty regularly I would suggest QF will ensure F is up to his standards

 

[GDSman]

I flew Wanula Dreaming SYD-SFO the other day and can confirm the new video screens are in place and the picture is great. Sitting in HKG now waiting to pick up QF30 to MEL. I was pretty happy with all aspects of the flight to SFO and am looking forward to a day flight to enjoy a nice long lunch courtesy of QF....

 

[UpTheFront]

I'm finding it hard to gather info on this "new" First Class. On what routes does it operate, and what's the rollout schedule? I've got the opportunity to fly HKG-MEL, MEL-AKL (744) & SYD-JFK in F in Dec/Jan, but it's two years since I travelled QF in F and I've heard so many bad things recently that I'm tempted to fly CX in J instead, which would be more convenient (although no cheaper in this instance).

If you've got any recent experience of CX in J versus QF in F can you let me know whether you find them equal for the same price? Or is all the whingeing about QF's First Class really just hot air when it comes to the crunch...?

Oh, and superchris: pls don't demean other people's writing styles. You can disagree with ronone69 without belittling him as being "erratic and emotional", whatever that means. His post was more detailed and informative than yours.

Thanks guys!

 

[simongr]

I recently flew QF F SYD-HKG and then CX J HKG-FRA and HKG-SYD and I am not sure that you can make a reasonable comparison between the two. If you can get QF F for the same price as CX J then definitely go for QF F.

It is a much better product IMO - but then it is F vs. J - ou are always going to get a better product on similar airlines.

The harder choice is CX J vs. QF J - I now plump for QF J so as to be able to use points to upgrade to F at least until I experience the new J product on CX that is

 

[jakeseven7]

No offence towards the original post but I think he may have had one too many Muscats as well!! (jokes before i get flamed)

I had an excellent flight in QF F last week, crew fantastic, food great and the bed was much better than other oneworld airlines - QF F doesn't LOOK as new as other airlines (which is obviously being addressed) but for comfort and service it is right up there for me.

I hope you learn to drink from those tricky coffee cups?!:shock:

 

[Tooner]

... crew fantastic, food great and the bed was much better than other oneworld airlines - QF F doesn't LOOK as new as other airlines (which is obviously being addressed) but for comfort and service it is right up there for me.

While my experience of QF F is not as recent, I'd agree on all of the above. The (now old) cabin does look daggy (but not enough to be retro ) but the comfort and service make up for it.

I still don't know whether I could stump up the cash though - points: definitely!

 

[Hawkeye]

The harder choice is CX J vs. QF J - I now plump for QF J so as to be able to use points to upgrade to F at least until I experience the new J product on CX that is

I would plump for QF J because I find the Skybed Mk 1 much better for sleeping than the CX equivalent, which feels shorter and narrower. Does it also lack a footrest to help from sliding downwards?

I don't find the CX F v QF F debate as easy to answer as some - I have experienced both outstanding and indifferent experiences on each carrier.

I have said this before but an indifferent experience in F still beats slumming it down the back, and I am grateful to be lucky enough to be there in the first place.

 

[NM]

If you've got any recent experience of CX in J versus QF in F can you let me know whether you find them equal for the same price?

In my view there are pros and cons for each, so make your decision based on what is important to you. Here is the way I see it:
Seat/Bed: I think the QF Skybed is better than the CX old J bed. The CX bed has slight more angle and not as many little nooks and crannys for storing things. I would give QF a 10% advantage here. However, CX are starting to roll out their new J with a herringbone layout of fully flat beds. I have not experienced these yet.

Food: Both offer at least 3 choices of meals in long-haul J. I like some of the Chinese optoions on CX, but tend to find the QF J food just a little better presented. QF's pre-order breakfast is good for shortish overnight flights, allowing for a little more sleep time. Not much in it though.

Wine: I believe QF has the better wine selection in J, especially the desert wines (Muscat, Port).

Scotch: CX wins hands down with the JW Gold vs Chivas/Glenlivet 15.

IFE: CX system is stable and responsive. But I generally prefer the program material on QF. I find the screens about the same. I prefer the QF headphones, though I generally use my own Shure E3s. On a 3 hour CX flight when the IFE was broken, all J pax were provided US$50 CX vouchers for duty-free purchases. They took it very seriously.

Cabin Crew: CX are consistently professional and helpful. Very much service-oriented. QF can be hit and miss. The good QF crew are excellent, while some can be a little sour. The service is generally a little more down-to-earth than CX's classic Asian style. Overall I have found both to be fine.

So in my mind, there is not a lot of difference. I would be most likely to choose based on schedule.

 

[simongr]

Cabin Crew: CX are consistently professional and helpful. Very much service-oriented. QF can be hot and miss. The good QF crew are excellent, while some can be a little sour.

Sounds like a soup to me

Good points as ever NM - I actually thought I was just imagining the extra angle on CX - thankfully I have been vindicated